A RESUBMITTED planning application seeking permission to build four detached homes on the former Rockwood House site, in Skipton, has been approved.

The site has been the subject of three refused applications for a six-house development.

One of the refusals was appealed against but was dismissed earlier this year.

Members of Craven District Council’s planning committee said the developer, Firth Developments Ltd, had reduced the latest plan to four houses which planning officers had recommended for approval.

However, the committee was told another appeal was pending, this time for an application, also for six houses, which had been refused in March.

Adam Clark, the agent of the applicant said the scheme had been redesigned and felt it represented the wishes of the neighbours.

“The applicant had contacted 28 homes in Rockwood Drive to speak to them individually over a four-day period to understand their concerns,” he said.

“The access has been repositioned and (the reduced scheme) removes the impression of overbearing.”

The application stated vehicular access would be created off Park Wood Close. Nineteen parking spaces would be provided in total on the site.

Objections in the past referred to previous applications as ‘garden grabbing’ and objectors claimed the land fell into the category of a residential garden, having previously been land surrounding a single large dwelling.

However, planning manager Neville Watson referred committee to the report which said while it is acknowledged the site was previously occupied by a house and residential curtilage, as the house was demolished, this was no longer the case.

He also said the land does not fall within the category of previously developed land, had retained its lawful residential use and is located within the mail built up area of Skipton where its development complies with Local Plan Policy SP4.

Permitted development rights had also been removed to prevent overdevelopment of the site and protect outdoor amenity space.

Ten letters of representation had been received. Some of the objections stated the scheme would have been better if it was three houses; the proposals would be a cul-de-sac within a cul-de-sac; single storey homes would have been better and plot four could create a smoke nuisance through its wood burning chimney to The Coach House because of its close proximity.

Councillor Richard Welch moved approval for the application stating: “You would be hard-pushed to find a reason for refusal.”